Music For Meditation Sounds to enhance your soul

by Calliope Hart
Source: California Psychics

Music for meditation can add an inspiring element to your mindful day
or spiritual practice, whether you're looking for a way to take your
breath work to a deeper state of awareness, or are new to meditation
and need help aligning with your higher self.

Through the ages, sacred music and soulful sounds have played a part in spiritual meditative traditions all over the world - they help to bring us closer to a feeling of universal oneness. From the calming, soothing and spiritually stirring sounds of monastery bells and zen-related wind instruments and on to the soulful chants of Tibetan and Buddhist monks - right up to the modern nonmelodic strains of electronic music, specifically created to vibrate with the cellular experiences of inner peace and well-being - these sounds have long enhanced the practice of meditation.

Call and response
The ambient sounds of music for meditation help you focus on your breathing, reduce stress, and slow down your heartrate - even your brainwaves - to help you turn your attention inward. "The power of music to induce or enhance deep states of relaxation has been strongly supported by scientific studies, dating back to the 1800s" reports psychologist John Ortiz, the author of The Tao of Music. Ortiz points out that when you choose meditation music that resonates with your inner being, it can help you quiet your mind more quickly and deeply - and help you stay centered much more easily.

However, not just any music will do. The best music to "Om" by is slower than your usual iPod fare. It doesn't feature a melody, or lyrics that you can follow. Unlike most song lyrics, chanting songs are monotone - or simply vocalized prayers that allow you to be in harmony with the prayer, and not worry where the melody is going.

If you're not familiar with the wide variety of meditation CDs that are out there, here's a little insight into some of the most sought-after compilations:

Meditation for beginners
Some of our favorite gurus, such as Deepak Chopra, Andrew Weil, Wayne Dyer and Eckhart Tolle have guided mediation CDs that move you into a deeper consciousness, and to help you align with your higher self. Gamma Meditations, one of Dr. Jeffrey Hunter's Brainwave Series, incorporates mesmerizing sonic sounds and relaxing meditation suggestions, which are at just the right frequency to activate a natural state of attunement with the universe.

Inner peace music
One of the most prolific producers of contemplative music is Steven Halpern, whose Chakra Suite is one of the best selling meditation CDs ever. Try his Relaxation Suite, with its "Mello Cello" and "Dharma Duet" tracks. The CD features melodic sounds of the cello, flute, piano and harp. Considered the pioneer in the field of effective soundscapes for meditation, Halpern has been creating electronic musical experiences as a background for heightening self-awareness in meditation, relaxation, sleep - and even driving more mindfully - for 33 years.

If electronic music doesn't relax you, there are the classic zen sounds of Riley Lee on the shakuhachi flute. The simple bamboo instrument featured on Music for Zen Meditation is a more traditional accompaniment to meditation, with its uncomplicated, soothing pieces with titles such as "Tranquil, In Time Suspended," and "Echo of the Sacred."

Spiritual chants
The sounds and chants of Tibetan monks, with their gongs and singing bowls, appeal to many. But the spiritual tradition of yoga has also brought about a long list of chanting chanteuses, including new-age chart topper Deva Premal. Moola Mantra, one of her many popular CDs, is a unique version of the Sanskrit mantra, accompanied by Indian fusion sounds. Brand new in new-age stores is Kundalini Meditation Music, featuring seven 10- to 14-minute chants. Each features different blessings - from prosperity to healing.

If you're a newbie to meditating with music, choose a CD - or even just one track - that you can play on repeat. It should be one that you find deeply soothing. You might want to begin your meditation with this progressive relation exercise. If you use headphones it might make it easier for the sounds to help you relax.

Sit comfortably, and breathe in and out slowly and deeply. Then allow the meditative sounds to enter your feet. Release your tension by focusing on the music. Move up the body from the feet to your head, repeating the entire exercise and always allowing the sound frequencies to relax your body and open your mind. When you have completed the exercise, continue to breathe in the sounds in the clearness of your mind.

Whether you download the music of the ocean, or listen to slowed-down classics, New Age CDs with mainstream appeal like Enya - or the vibrational sounds of echoing Tibetan bowls - to play as background music to your meditation, choose music that you personally find calming, centering and reflective. These meditative soundscapes also work well to reduce stress while you are working, or to set a serene mood around the house. And many, once you're comfortably tucked in to bed, will lull you right to sleep!

What moves you? Let a psychic offer guidance. Call 1.800.573.4830 or click here now.

Venus and Mars in Gemini Your mind and heart meld

Weekly Horoscopes
Saturday 4th July - Saturday 11th July - Saturday 18th July- Saturday 25th July

Source: California Psychics

Flirting and other lively talks kick into high gear when Venus and Mars enter witty Gemini this month. On July 5, 2009, Venus transits into the sign of communications, with Mars following on the 11th. It's time to express what's on your mind and in your heart!

As the relationship planet, Venus inspires expressions of love, so now is an excellent time to articulate your feelings to your significant other (or to anyone else you care about). Venus in Gemini can make it easier to discuss troubling issues in your relationship. So whether you've been procrastinating bringing up a difficult subject, or just need to express your love and appreciation, this influence will help you get your ideas across with grace and clarity.

What's more, because Gemini rules travel, you might find yourself enjoying a romantic interlude while on a trip. If you're already paired, a trip for two can rev up the romance between you. And since Venus is all about love, romantic and otherwise, traveling with friends can bring joy as well.

Mars, on the other hand, is all about passion. It energizes whatever sign it's transiting through. Not surprising, Mars in Gemini takes sexy repartee to a whole new level. You can use this influence to heat up the sheets with some verbal naughtiness (or at least cleverness). A little humor in the boudoir will keep your relationship fresh.

But don't stop with pillow talk - promoting your ideas at work is favored as well. Gemini is logical, clear-headed and straightforward. As such, it's a good time to enter into discussions that require a factual approach and step-by-step analysis. Just watch out for argumentativeness, the downside of Mars in Gemini. Also, Mars can accelerate your mental energy to the point of exhaustion. Too much of a good thing will throw you off balance. So if you find yourself suffering from brain-drain, try taking frequent breaks - and get physical. Taking a quick stroll outside the office or working out at the gym during your lunch break will help you stay grounded, focused and energetic.

To get more specific, find out how you can capitalize on Venus and Mars in Gemini by reading your Sun and Ascendant signs below.

Air signs
Gemini, Libra and Aquarius will experience increased perceptiveness, clarity and creativity. Gemini will be empowered to express their needs and desires in their personal life. Libra will experience heightened intuition about the future, so discussing where a relationship is headed can bring clarity. Aquarius will find creativity in everything, which can inspire heartfelt words that deepen love.

Fire signs
Aries, Leo and Sagittarius will feel the urge to act on their ideas, especially in social situations. Aries will find their power of persuasion heightened in both romantic and professional pursuits. Leo can attract personal and professional opportunities by networking during friendly gatherings and community events. Sagittarius will be motivated to improve communications in a relationship, or to use their humor and braininess to attract a new partner.

Earth signs
Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn can tap into brainpower to accelerate prosperity. Taurus may discover a creative or practical idea that opens a financial door. Virgo can enhance their career by promoting ideas and networking with colleagues. Capricorn will be empowered to promote ideas at work and can find romance through philanthropic and health-related activities.

Water signs
Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces will be focusing on intimate ties and healing the past. Cancer will accelerate their aspirations by examining and talking about the past - including past lives - and letting go of negativity. Scorpio can deepen intimacy by healing old emotional wounds and talking about sexual needs. Pisces will be especially creative at home and can find opportunities through family members.

However you choose to express yourself this month, strive to share your mind, heart and soul with those you care about the most.

Do you follow your head or your heart? Let a psychic guide you. Call 1.800.573.4830 or click here now.

Independence in Love 5 tips to not lose yourself

Weekly Horoscopes
Saturday 4th July - Saturday 11th July - Saturday 18th July- Saturday 25th July - Saturday 27th June

by S. K. Smith
Source: California Psychics

Maintaining a sense of individuality is a common problem in most relationships, and there are a zillion reasons why. For starters, you and your partner spend so much free time together that your lives begin to blend. Then there's the reality that as time passes, you may forget what you did before you were together.

Even if you do remember all your old pastimes, your "you time" takes a backseat to shared "us time." After all, there are couple commitments that come into play (dinner parties, work events, household chores). Nevermind the fact that at a certain point, it's just easier to plop down on the sofa together than it is to motivate yourself on your own. The trouble is, by merging completely, not only do couples lose their senses of individuality, their happiness levels decrease… and their relationships suffer.

Remember, it takes two complete halves to make one whole. So if either or both of you are struggling to remember who you are or what makes you happy beyond the confines of your partnership, it's time for a reality check. Maintaining autonomy is essential to the success of any pairing. Try these tips to help you do just that.

Your friends love you...
Sadly, one of the first things to happen as we pair off is that our friends (particularly the single ones) can be forgotten. They fall by the wayside in favor of spending every waking non-work moment with our new lovers. Inevitably, forgetting your friends will fail you. Humans are social beings and we need each other to commiserate and identify with in good times and bad. Sure, your mate can provide most things a friend can, but no one person can be all things to anyone. You're bound to have things in common with your friends that you don't with your mate… even if it's just shared experience. Besides, if you have no one else in your life to hang out with, not only will you and your amour eventually run out of topics to talk about, you'll find your life much less fulfilling!

Whether it's going out for dinner, grabbing after work drinks or hitting the beach/bookstore on a Saturday afternoon, set aside in-person time for your friends. Emails and phone calls count as contact, sure, but when it comes to fostering a sense of personal satisfaction and history, the power of face-to-face interaction cannot be overstated!

Nix neediness
Sometimes, we worry that if we're not with our partner, they'll forget about us - or worse, cheat! If these are your feelings, however, your partner's not the problem - your insecurity is. Being too needy in a relationship (demanding too much time and attention, denying your partner - and yourself - the time to maintain a balanced life, questioning their every move), only leads to disaster. It creates an imbalance of power that leaves you feeling dependent on your mate for your happiness. Believe it or not, you're not in the driver's seat when you're dictating every moment… you're giving fear the upper hand. On that note, it may seem counterintuitive but…

Give your partner space
Everybody appreciates a little space every once in awhile to do whatever it is we feel like doing. And believe it or not - sometimes those things are best done solo. A hot, relaxing bath, a sappy, cry-your-eyes out movie rental, a video game marathon or an adult-ed class… whatever it is that rejuvenates them, give your partner the space to do it on a regular basis. Meanwhile, use that time to do something you enjoy, too.

Take care of you!
We all know that a healthy mind and a healthy body go together with a healthy spirit, but figuring out a way to attain all three can seem like a tough proposition. The good news is, every little bit helps - and addressing any of the three components actually contributes to the others, too.

If you want to boost your self-confidence and motivation (in and out of the relationship) start with the stuff you can control. Eat well and commit to some kind of fitness regimen. Not only will it make you feel vibrant and sexy on the outside, it will help you feel strong and capable, which encourages you to do things on your own when you might otherwise steer clear of solo ventures. Perhaps best of all, it'll enhance your libido and drive your partner wild!

Max motivation
Finally, one of the most common explanations for personal dissatisfaction in or out of a relationship is a lack of goals. If we don't have a destination (or a series of them, since arriving at one only leads to another), the relationship can feel pointless. People thrive when they have a purpose. So take some time to sit down with yourself and set some personal goals. Then set about achieving them. Doing so will not only provide tremendous self-satisfaction (even when you have missteps and have to start again), but it will allow you to bring more to the table in your relationship.

Likewise, encourage your partner to do the same and enlist each other for encouragement. Two active halves, after all, will only make a more solid, deeply satisfied whole.

Do you need to be more independent? Let a psychic guide you. Call 1.800.573.4830 or click here now.

Can I Forgive Myself? Cleaning up after the mess you made

Source: California Psychics

So you really messed up in love, at work, with money or a friend… and you can't even describe how lousy you feel. Maybe you even lost the one you love, your job, your good credit, or your closest confidante… because your one mistake created waves of consequences. So, now what do you do? Sure you get it, that we all make mistakes, that we're human and this is how we learn and grow and change, but you're finding it hard (very, very hard, in fact) to forgive yourself.

Our psychics are highly experienced in dealing with callers who are suffering from enormous guilt over transgressions large and small. "Forgiving ourselves is one of the most challenging tasks in the human experience," Jesse ext. 9027 concedes. "When we have wronged someone, or something, it takes a great deal to be humble without being abusive to ourselves."

So how do you do it? How do you pardon yourself for your wrong-doings compassionately? Before exploring your options for moving on, take a good look at why you did what you did, our psychics suggest.

"Perhaps you didn't give enough thought and consideration to what the consequences might be," suggests Miss Krystal ext. 9192. "Most of us end up messing up in life because we made a poor choice. We didn't give something or someone in our life enough value - or we gave them too much undeservingly. Sometimes when an opportunity arises to 'mess-up' we take chances because we're hoping no one will take notice - when in reality, it's pretty hard to fool people," she points out.

One of Miss Krystal's clients made that very typical mistake in judgment when an extremely attractive man crossed her path on the job. She gave into his flattering advances on a business trip out of curiosity and ego more than anything else. She had no intention of ever leaving her husband and was sure he would never be the wiser if she indulged herself just once.

Unfortunately, an acquaintance saw her and her one-time-lover together and told the caller's husband who had the situation investigated. As soon as he had evidence, he filed for divorce and moved on. "In the meantime, my caller has had an awful time forgiving herself," Miss Krystal reports, "and she's suffering the consequences of the very quick and painful loss of her marriage as well."

Our psychics believe that no one wakes up wanting to mess up intentionally. They also see that we wouldn't do half the things we do to try to repair the damage, if we could predict the outcome in advance. "People in relationships, for instance, sometimes do drastic, ridiculous things, attempting to bring their loved one back after a mess up - from writing emails and text messages they later regret, to obsessive phone calling, even after being asked to stop. In order to get past bad judgment and grow, realistic acceptance of the situation must occur first, followed by forgiving yourself and then asking for forgiveness," psychics counsel.

To help you put order back into your life, Miss Krystal offers an effective five-point plan for self-foregiveness:

1. Be honest and admit that you made a poor choice and did not value whatever you lost. By doing this you give yourself a chance to change and possibly get it right in the future.

2. Keep in mind that tomorrow is another day, and perhaps it will be a better one. Give yourself hope that you'll get through this.

3. Make sure to ask forgiveness of those you disappointed, even if they have no interest in giving you another chance. This takes courage. You may be rejected, dismissed, diminished… or hopefully forgiven.

4. Make repairs where necessary: Return money, stay late or work weekends to make up for a botched assignment, re-enter a detox program… Whatever it is, do it!

5. Learn from your mistakes. Spiritual growth cannot be learned without "messing up" along our path. Once you've done everything you can do, you will be on the road to returning to normal. Talk to friends and family members or counselors for reassurance and guidance.

In moments of guilt, forgive yourself again. And, if it helps, remember that we all make mistakes, from world leaders to celebrities, as well as the people you may have wronged, our psychics remind us. This is all part of the human condition. Living with guilt and shame is not living well, but forgiving ourselves and doing the best we can with what we have… that is what this journey is all about!

Do you need to forgive yourself? A psychic reading can help you speed up the process. Call 1.800.573.4830 or click here now.